Fenerbahce and Benfica have played out a goalless opening half in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final in Turkey.

Following a quiet start to the match the hosts nearly took the lead with 17 minutes gone, but Moussa Sow could only shoot wide at the near post after being picked out by Pierre Webo.

Sow was then denied by the woodwork moments later when his header from Dirk Kuyt's cross came back off the crossbar.

Fenerbahce continued to create the better chances and Sow failed to put the ball in the net again on 30 minutes by heading over.

The hosts had the opportunity to open the scoring from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time, but Cristian Baroni struck the post following a foul on Gokhan Gonul.